Viewing page 249 of 257

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

the colored boy was shot lat May, but the man was not arrested until last [[strikethrough]]mon[[/strikethrough]] month, after stealing the horses. The civil authorities, in my opinion would never have arrested him for shooting the "niggers" I would not misrepresent the real sentiments of these people either toward the freedmen, the Bureau on the least. In my opinion these people hate the latter (the Govt) quite as much as they did three years ago and knowing that the Freedmen & Bureau to exist only by the strength of the Govt all three incur their most bitter hatred.
I am Maj Very Respectfully
Your Obt Servt
Sidney B Smith
Bvt Capt V.R.P. & Supt &c